USDA Rural Development Announces Delegated Authority Pilot Program Participants for Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program

(Washington, D.C., September 1, 2026) - U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development today announced the kickoff of the Delegated Authority Lender Interactive Test Environment (LITE) Pilot Program for the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program. USDA Rural Development selected the initial participating lenders, who will begin operating in the Pilot Program on September 1, 2026.

The Delegated Authority LITE Pilot Program streamlines the mortgage lending process for homebuyers by allowing approved pilot lenders to assume full responsibility for closing USDA home loans within regulatory guidelines. Under the pilot process, USDA Rural Development delegates the pre-closing approval requirement to the approved pilot lender with minimal agency involvement. This new process enables lenders to close mortgage loans more quickly and reduces the government's time and resource needs.

USDA Rural Development will monitor lenders in the LITE Pilot Program to ensure they comply with all requirements and maintain the same level of diligence as required under the agency's current protocols. The agency selected these lenders in part due to their strong past performance in the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program.

The initial group of participating lenders includes DHI Mortgage, First State Community Bank, Lennar Mortgage, loanDepot, United Wholesale Mortgage, and 1st Signature Lending.

USDA Rural Development will continue administering its housing programs in accordance with the Housing Act of 1949 and all applicable statutory requirements. State and local building codes, USDA underwriting standards, and other applicable requirements will remain in effect to ensure USDA-financed housing is decent, safe, and sanitary.

The agency anticipates an increase in program participation when the Delegated Authority process enters full implementation in September 2028. This growth will expand opportunities for families in rural America to achieve homeownership.

For more information about USDA Rural Development housing programs, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

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